Role of triple phase ct in evaluation of focal liver lesions

Aims and Objectives: To study the role of triple phase CT scan in detection, characterisation, differentiation and diagnosis of liver lesions. To study the enhancement patterns of various liver lesions on triple phase CT scan. Materials and Methods: A Hospital based prospective study was conducted on 100 patients having clinical suspicion of liver pathology or with suspected/proved focal liver lesions by other imaging modalities were referred to CT for diagnosis had undergone triphasic CT for evaluation of liver lesions in the department of Radiodiagnosis, JLN Medical College and Associated groups of hospital. After image acquisition different phases were evaluated in detail to identify lesions and characterise their nature. Then lesions were classified statistically to derive the conclusions. Results: There were 59 benign cases and 41 malignant cases out of total 100 patients. Metastases and hemangiomas were the most common detected lesion in 20% of patients (total 40%). There were 16% cases of HCC, 12 % cases of abscess, 9 % cases of simple cyst, 8% cases of hepatic trauma, 4% cases of hydatid cyst, focal fatty infiltration, and cholangiocarcinoma each and 1% cases of FNH, hepatoblastoma and AVM each. On triple phase CT scan, hemangioma (except one) showed peripheral nodular enhancement followed by centripetal filling Metastaasis to liver were hypoenhancing on all post contrast phases (18 out of 20). Conclusion: Triple phase CT is helpful in confident diagnosis of hepatic lesion. It has an indispensable role in characterising, evaluating and differentiating various hepatic lesions which helps in guiding appropriate management plan with proper surgical triage.